First Akhenaton-era tomb unearthed

"A joint Egyptian-Dutch mission unearthed a 4000-year-old ancient tomb that dates back to the Old Kingdom era," said Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Dr. Gaballa Ali Gaballah.

The tomb belongs to the chief priest of Aton, the God of the Sun," said Gaballah adding that the chief priest was called Mriaton and used to supervise possessions of God Aton.

"This is the first time a tomb belonging to the era of King Akhenaton in Sakkara, was unearthed" said the SCA Chief.

Akhenaton is Known to have built his new capital Akhetaton at Tal Al-Amarna in Menya, where he also had tombs built for him and his senior officials.

Giza Antiquities Director Zahi Hawas said the tomb which is square shaped has a ceiling built of limestone-covered mud bricks and consists of two yards and stores for funerary furniture and a group of chambers.

The tomb also contains a layer of alabaster that includes sceneries and Hieroglyphic writings and an inscription representing the deceased.

Three columns were also discovered inside the tomb containing inscriptions of the name and job of the deceased.

Hawas said he expects that a coffin and a mummy of the deceased will be unearthed.